"Data published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there has been a rise in measles cases," the UK Health Security Agency said in a statement published on the government portal.
"Between 1 January and 20 April this year, there have been 49 cases of measles compared to 54 cases in the whole of 2022."
Most of the cases were reported in London, although a number of them have been detected all over the country, and some are linked to travel abroad, the UKHSA said.
Therefore, the agency asks parents to check if their children received their shots of the MMR vaccine, which is a combined vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella.
"During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, uptake for routine childhood immunizations has fallen globally, leaving many children unprotected from serious infections and countries at increased risk of outbreaks," the UKHSA said.
Children showing symptoms of measles need to stay at home to prevent the illness from spreading further, and their parents are recommended to contact their general practitioner for advice, the agency added.